Environmental Influences: Whether it is through active behaviors or passive activity, humans are exposed to environmental risks affecting health and safety through a variety of interactions with their environment in everyday situations.

A. Physical influences include toxins, nutrition, sick buildings, noise pollution, second-hand smoke, and lead.

B. Social influences include violence, substance abuse, child-rearing practices, and poverty. A prevention activity to decrease aggression or violent behavior is teaching school-age children how to use appropriate social or pragmatic communication skills.

C. Nutrition and Health. Nutrition�s contributions to primary conditions leading to communication disorders among adults are numerous. Diet accounts for one third of cancer risk. Prenatally, nutrition greatly effects the fetus.

Transition Point: It is very important to consider the role that an individual�s culture plays in their involvement in any prevention efforts...